Original subtitles

In 1789,

a blood-sucking monster appeared

and wreaked havoc on the country.

This is an account of that monster.

It sucked human blood and could fly.

It was mighty strong and healed instantly upon injury.

CLASSIFIED

The only way to kill such a monster

was to burn it.

Life by blood. Death by fire.

Blood gave it life.

Fire killed it.

Over there!

Find him at once!

Scour the hills!

-Over there! -Get him!

That way!

Get him!

Over there!

Hunt him down!

Find him!

Find him before dawn.

Where is it?

Who…

am I?

Search everywhere!

Find him before daybreak.

Let's go that way.

Hurry!

Do you know me?

-Find him! Hurry! -Hurry!

What is this?

Who are you, and who am…

Over there! Get him!

Get him!

Shoot!

Let's go!

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

They're so good.

Goodness!

What are you looking for?

Why are we looking around here, sir?

There's a vampire here.

A vampire? What's that?

A blood-sucking monster.

Bloodless bodies were found in villages this circus visited.

There has to be a vampire here.

That makes no sense--

I heard the magic you do is quite amazing.

Well, let's see what you've got.

Yes, sir. I'm sure you'll be pleased.

WOLGYO GARDEN

THE FANTASTIC DUO

Real swords?

Yes. They put a person in a box and stab it.

That's crazy.

The box is too small.

There'll be room to avoid the swords.

Don't worry.

There's no room to avoid them.

Magic is simply visual trickery. Trust me.

But I'm saying I can't trust you…

Help me!

It's too tight in here!

I can't breathe! Hurry!

Mommy!

Sir!

Please let me out!

There's no room to hide!

Take it out, you bastard!

-Isn't that blood? -It's blood!

-Is he dead? -Wait!

Are you all right?

I avoided them all.

-I think it's blood. -Blood?

-It's blood. -He's bleeding!

I said the box was too small, you bastard.

Seo-pil!

Help, my daughter is missing!

Eon-nyeon!

Please find my daughter!

Where are you, Mommy?

Mommy! Where are you?

Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

You evil vampire!

You killed innocent lives to save yours.

How dare you!

My hunch was right.

Your curiosity will be the death of you!

This time, I'll stick them in your head.

Stop!

Father.

Let's stop now.

No, son.

Not a vampire but a porphyria patient?

With low oxygen in the blood, you get heart palpitations,

shortness of breath, and heart enlargement.

You killed innocent lives to fill your lack of blood.

My son is innocent.

It's all my fault.

Though you did it to save your son,

your sins are no different from those of a vampire.

Do you expect to live after what you did?

HONG TAE-MUN

What vampires?

Are you going through puberty again?

Having strange thoughts?

Vampires exist.

It's because you have too much free time.

You lost your post.

The women you come on to reject you.

You don't have anything to do.

Such a pity that you think the world is so puny.

In 1742, a report was made

about Scholar Choi and his servant as they entered the capital.

Suddenly, they came across a mysterious light.

Then Choi instantly vanished without a trace.

And the peculiar plague years ago…

The world is full of unbelievable incidents.

Who's to say vampires don't exist?

Do you have proof?

Thirty years ago,

a Westerners' ship headed for China

got caught in a storm and became shipwrecked in Joseon.

There are records of vampire sightings from then.

Come on, sir.

Cut the nonsense and do your detective work.

Aren't you going to pay me rent?

Why did you leave your nice home only to struggle like this?

Perhaps you should go back.

Then I'll have to get married.

If you must, then why not?

I don't wish to marry some stranger that I don't love.

Then just tell your father that.

He's already made up his mind.

So what?

You're good at speaking your mind.

Can't you talk to your father?

It's about your own marriage.

Just say no.

Say you're not marrying a stranger without love.

I did.

I told him it's my marriage and my life, and he can't decide for me!

And?

I got slapped.

He's firm.

I thought the premier would be different.

Your Majesty!

Anticipation for the Full Moon Fest is high throughout Joseon.

People of all ages are working hard

to prepare an even grander fest

than the one held 30 years ago, sir.

Recently, 10,000 people worked on fortifying our forts.

It must be hard for them to work for the Full Moon Fest too.

Thus, I shall grant a small reward to the workers.

Set rice as the only tributary payment.

And have the aristocrats pay for the military cloth

in addition to the peasants.

I, Premier Kim Shin, request to speak, Your Majesty.

His Majesty's mercy and heart for the people are like heaven.

However, if aristocrats pay the same as peasants,

what makes the two any different, sir?

It will destroy class distinctions

and shake the basis of Joseon, sir.

Please, Your Majesty!

-Please retract your command, sir! -Please retract your command, sir!

Even the king can't have his way with him.

By any chance,

do you have any functional issues that would impact your marriage--

Why you little…

Excuse me.

Who is it?

It's scorched rice tea.

Thank you.

It has a rich, deep flavor.

I did a great job making it.

Let me introduce myself.

I'm Choi Jae-hui, daughter of Choi Il-kyu, the owner of Yeonmi Lodge.

How can we be of help?

Recently, while repairing a palace called Yeonmijeong in Ganghwa,

the roof suddenly caved in, and several workers died.

While burying the dead, two corpses were discovered.

One was a skeleton, and the other was burned.

However, the burnt one wasn't decayed at all.

But that's not all.

While they went to report the incident…

The corpse disappeared.

Only the burnt corpse vanished.

Then another incident happened soon after.

It was quite peculiar.

Some say a man burned to death by an invisible fire.

He died but was not dead.

He lived but was not alive.

Some say it's the revenge of those who died in the Ganghwa Hall fire.

The Full Moon Fest will be held in Ganghwa for the first time in 30 years.

My father has been ordered by the government to prepare it.

However, he is ill and can't see to such problems.

I've come to ask you to solve the mysteries for us.

It won't be easy.

Serial killings can't be ruled out.

I heard you are the best in all of Joseon regarding cases like these, sir.

I'm not the best.

I'm the best of the best.

It's sad that I can only explain myself in that way.

He's a little arrogant.

I see.

Ganghwa, you say? Let's talk accommodations.

Will it have two bedrooms or one plus a living room?

One plus a living room, sir.

Inside bathroom or outside?

Inside, sir.

And breakfast?

Provided, sir.

Deal. Let's go.

GANGHWA ISLAND

3 DAYS AFTER HONG TAE-MUN'S DEATH

CLASSIFIED

You haven't found it yet?

I know who has it, sir.

Please give me a few more days.

GANGHWA HALL

Do you know me?

Who are you?

The guest door is that way.

The owner's daughter asked me to come.

I'm a detective.

It's about the mysterious deaths that have occurred here.

Your sister asked us to come and investigate.

I don't know why she made such a request.

I don't know of such things.

I'm Kim Min.

He's a very famous detective, sir.

He solved the fake silver case and even had dinner with the king.

I don't think he knows.

What if I explain it like this?

He got wasted before His Majesty and said,

"This isn't your country, pal!"

After the rude fiasco, he was sent into exile.

That's him.

He's Premier Kim Shin's…

I'm Choi Jae-kyung. Please come inside.

Your reputation has reached even Ganghwa Island.

YEONMI LODGE

SONG PIL-GEUN

Sir? Did you poo in bed?

Or is it horse dung?

What is this, a stable?

This isn't what she promised.

The bathroom is so far.

I almost pooped my pants on the way!

It's the busy season. There are no vacant rooms.

It's perfect for a rude fool.

And what's with this breakfast?

Shouldn't they at least give us a fried egg?

This is why you don't make deals with a middleman.

I'm taking a few towels when I leave.

Sir?

It appears that after my sister visited our ill father a few days ago,

she asked you to come without discussing it with me.

CHOI IL-KYU, OWNER OF YEONMI LODGE

What happened to your father?

He's been like this for a month.

Even the best doctors don't know what is wrong with him.

Books on exorcism?

The magistrate is busy with the fest and has no plans to investigate.

When two men burned to death by a peculiar fire…

Two? There was another incident?

Last night, a man died in the exact same way.

What's so significant about the Full Moon Fest

that the magistrate can't investigate such a big case?

In the past, royal officials would gather annually

to pull together and strengthen ties at this event.

His Majesty will be attending this time.

The magistrate must want to keep any unsavory news quiet.

Since you're already here,

please catch the killer before the Full Moon Fest.

Just by me being here, the killer is practically caught.

Pardon?

Some people call me a shaman in addition to a detective.

For I can find a killer just by looking at the corpse,

I'm like a possessed shaman who knows all.

Shall we begin?

Is he always like this?

He's usually worse, but he must not be feeling well.

Less bragging than usual.

POLICE SEEK DETAILS ON THIS MAN

-You know Sir Song Pil-geun? -Yes.

He was burned by the ghost fire!

There's no such thing as ghost fire.

-His servant saw everything. -My goodness.

The body burned, but he saw no fire.

Goodness.

Sir! Are you all right?

You must be feeling weak.

I thought you'd fly all the way back home.

It's not that.

This footprint is--

It's mine.

Right.

I knew that.

Don't tamper with the crime scene!

The burn mark looks like a man. How uncanny.

What's the most painful thing a human can experience?

Burning to death.

But from looking at the burnt remains,

there seems to be no sign of squirming in pain.

It means that he couldn't move before he was burned.

-An invisible fire. -And…

we know the killer always returns to the crime scene.

Sir?

See the person in the bamboo hat behind you?

They keep looking this way.

Hey, bamboo hat!

You'll just hit me and go?

How rude.

Rude? Me?

You hit me and didn't say sorry.

Still, how dare you try to touch a stranger's clothes?

"How dare you"?

How dare you speak to me that way!

Wait!

Where did you learn such language?

Mind your manners.

Stay out, servant.

"Servant"?

Hear that, sir? I was called a ser--

Sir, be careful!

Are you all right, sir?

If you touch a hair on his head--

Do you know me?

The monk?

The monk on the poster?

Did anyone come for his body?

You're the first to come for him.

So, all you know is that he's a monk?

Who are you to ask that?

-Very well, then. -Wait! Show me your identity tag!

And who are you?

Didn't Sir Choi Jae-kyung mention us?

-You're the detective from the capital? -Yes.

There's no case I can't solve.

-I'm the best detective in-- -Excuse me, sir.

Hold on. Where did…

The bamboo hat…

I wish to see Song Pil-geun's corpse.

That's impossible, sir.

The magistrate gave orders never to show it to anyone.

If that's what the magistrate said, then we can't.

On second thought, maybe he didn't say "never."

There is no such thing as never.

-You could sneak a peek at night. -Good.

Then we'll come back around at night.

What did you draw, sir?

Isn't she the woman from before?

Why…

That lady…

Did you notice anything strange?

Right, she was a bit odd.

She was so strong--

She's gorgeous.

Not again.

But is now the time to be drawing a pretty woman?

I need it to investigate.

Investigate what?

If you want to meet her, just say it.

She's there wherever we go.

That means she's connected to this case somehow.

-Then… -Maybe…

she could be chasing us.

Us? Why, sir?

Sir, it's me.

You must find out who she is and why she's after this case.

Yes, sir.

This rough chap looks suspicious.

It's a woman.

And she's pretty.

Are you going blind in your old age?

Forget it.

I'll find her. You can go back to the capital.

No, sir.

I'll find this fool…

I mean, this woman.

His position.

The soot in his nose.

He was burned when he was alive.

It appears we're here for the same purpose.

Would you like to quietly look around together?

Or shall we fight and bring in the guards?

An invisible fire…

It seems he was fatally wounded before being burned.

It was the same at the scene of the crime.

Then the wound must be somewhere on his body.

While repairing a palace, several workers died.

The burnt one wasn't decayed at all.

Only the burnt corpse vanished.

Is it a real vampire?

The arrow precisely struck the heart.

It wasn't to drink his blood,

but to kill him.

The character "yeom" means to stain.

Why did the killer leave a sign?

Perhaps a forewarning about another murder?

This character has something to do with staining or dyes.

Go to the painters of the court and ask around for clues.

I'll search the dye house here.

HA BYUNG-EUN

Why are you here?

How long will you follow me?

I saw someone on fire too.

Where?

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure where or who it was, or why I remember that.

He must've been killed by something that looks human but is not.

"Something that looks human but is not"?

Are they really strong and fast?

And heal fast if they're hurt?

You know about vampires?

"Vampires"?

Vampires are immortal.

Immortal creatures that don't get hurt or die.

"Immortal"?

There's something I must know.

You're definitely in my memory.

Do you know me?

In becoming a monster, your memory was lost.

If you want your memory back,

drink blood.

Are you all right?

You vermin!

How does a monster that doesn't even belong in our world

dare tamper with its natural order?

I know that you're behind the ominous deaths.

How dare you try to live by killing innocent people?

"Innocent"?

-Who? -Quiet!

Think you can get away with murder because you're immortal?

I know how to banish you.

Do you want to remember?

Then watch this.

Sir! What happened?

The arrow is buried deep. Hold him down so I can pull it out.

That's a good idea.

But aren't we in the same class? Stop giving me orders.

Hurry up.

I will,

but watch it.

Sir?

-Are you all right? -Yes.

Isn't she odd, sir?

Did you sense it too?

You too, sir?

Yes.

I thought she was strange from the start.

It's odd for a woman to go around alone.

She talks down to you and gives commands.

She's not your average woman.

It all adds up to one thing.

What?

She's crazy.

Crazy girls don't wear flowers in their hair these days.

Try all you want, but you can't fool me.

In becoming a monster, your memory was lost. Drink blood.

She fought off a vampire. Is she one too?

No, she can't be.

If she were, she couldn't be fine in the sun.

And she wouldn't have saved me.

If he catches the monster before my memories return…

But she's definitely linked to him.

He's arrogant and shows off, but he has a useful brain.

She's quite cold and arrogant.

But her ability to fight him is quite useful.

With my incredible brain and this woman's body,

we can catch the monster.

Work with her?

My brain

and Seo-pil's body.

Damn it. This woman's body!

Oops. Did I say that out loud?

It's not what it sounded like.

-I meant your skills-- -If you help me,

I'll help you catch the monster.

However, you can't ask anything about me.

Agreed. But help you with what?

I…

lost my memory.

I want to know who I am.

Fine.

But there's just one problem.

-What is it? -You don't call me sir.

-Then you don't have to call me ma'am. -Really?

That works.

Why do I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick?

Is she really crazy?

By the way,

how did you know the dye maker would die?

The arrowhead from Song's corpse had a character that means "to stain."

My clever brain figured out it was a clue to his next killing…

-The arrowhead! -The arrowhead!

DO NOT CROSS

No! Brother!

-Who's that? -Goodness…

-Must be the dead man's brother. -What?

He only has a younger sister.

Right. He does.

Then who am I?

Well, I'm…

I'm his sister.

Then who is he?

-Well, I'm her hus-- -My servant.

His name is Bang-ja.

Greet me.

Hello, ma'am.

He's dressed in disguise to protect me.

The body will be examined soon. Please be quick.

-Of course, sir. -Let's go.

Thank you, sir.

A servant?

Find the arrowhead, Bang-ja.

Are you all right?

Our lady lost consciousness from the shock of his death!

Oh, no, ma'am!

I'm fine. Put me down.

No.

Put me down!

Let me off.

Pretend you're asleep, will you?

People will look at you strangely if you don't.

You really

don't remember anything?

I don't even know my name.

Then let's make one.

My name?

We'll have to go around together like this.

I can't just call you, "Hey, you."

And I'm an outstanding name-maker.

Listen and choose.

Gae-sun.

Gae-ttong, Gae-ja, Gae-mi, Gae-sae, Gae-suk, Gae…

Don't get cute with me.

Let's see.

Your fair skin is like the moon.

Wol means moon.

And you have no memory, as if you're still young.

How about Wol-young?

Wol-young.

That's a pretty name.

The simplified character of "gyo."

It could mean someone who makes ox hide glue.

It could also mean shinbone.

So, it could be a hunter, a butcher, or a doctor next.

It's strange.

I haven't seen her eat in days.

Even if your parents were to die, you'd feel hungry.

Why won't she eat?

I knew a crazy girl back home.

She'd run around everywhere without eating for almost a week.

And you know how strong they are?

They can drag a couple of men with no problem.

So you should also be careful, sir.

Don't get involved because she's pretty.

Hi.

The flower suits you.

Now, let's see you smile.

Smile.

Don't act pretty. Just smile naturally.

See? She's crazy.

-I'm finished. Let's go home. -Yes, sir.

Hot!

I'll protect you, sir.

Stay still!

Sir.

What about me?

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

You got cut. How could you be fine?

-Let's see. -It's okay.

Don't be stubborn! Give me your hand…

Who were those men?

Why…

change the subject?

You saw it.

Some people can heal faster than others.

What if I'm not human?

What if I'm not a human,

but a monster like him?

You're not a monster.

Vampires can't last in the sun like you do.

They crave human blood, but you don't.

So you're not a monster.

What do you know?

I can't control the power that courses through my veins.

I can even sense the lightest of breezes brushing past me.

When I smell blood, I feel a suffocating thirst.

At this rate,

I could bite your neck like that monster.

You may become a monster after biting me,

but my neck is fine right now.

Your fear of becoming a monster means you're not one yet.

All I see is a good person who's afraid of becoming a monster.

Aren't you afraid of me?

I trust the human in you, Wol-young.

I trust your will to not become a monster.

You may be a woman,

but you're stronger and more upright than any man.

I'm not afraid of you.

I'll always keep my neck open to you.

Why don't you use the front gate?

I searched throughout Ganghwa, but I couldn't find her.

This is…

No sign at all?

No, sir.

I think she left Ganghwa.

Give me that.

Look.

Still can't find her?

Get it now?

Have you seen her?

Forget it. Go back to the capital.

No, sir. I'll stay and protect you--

It's okay. Just take good care of yourself.

Then I'll be going, sir.

-Use the gate! -Yes, sir.

Wait.

Am I the monster in this book?

Does this look like me?

I don't look like this.

My teeth are straight.

And it says vampires burn in the sunlight.

But I'm fine.

That's for vampires who sucked human blood.

So if I suck blood, I'll be afraid of sunlight too?

Vampires must drink blood to survive.

If they don't, they'll go weak.

Then they'll die.

Look.

You're scared of me, aren't you?

Yes.

Must be a real riot in here.

The whole town can hear you laughing!

Think of our history together.

All those nights together.

And you're ditching me for this crazy girl?

You'll regret leaving me someday, sir!

Must be nice to be cared for, you lucky bitch.

If I ever bite someone, he'll be the first.

By the way, sir.

I must be going through menopause.

I keep getting hot flashes.

See? I'm burning inside.

I'm hot. Get back.

Don't do this.

Get back, sir.

What are you staring at?

Get ready! We have to go.

Don't be a burden on us.

She won't budge.

Why you…

Stop. You're asking to die.

What's with you, sir?

What are you doing?

Stop it, sir.

Are you a pervert?

What's wrong?

Get away!

Stop it.

Did it really say "gyo" on the arrowhead?

Why? You think I can't even read?

Just let me see.

No way! I'm mad you think I can't read a simple character like this one!

I'll bite you.

It's a simplified character, so you might not recognize it.

To explain, simplified characters were made to…

"Wol-gyo."

It's two characters, not one.

Exactly. "Wol-gyo."

That's what I thought too.

I was right again.

This pond is called Wolgyo.

Ganghwa Hall used to be here.

Ganghwa Hall?

Some say it's the revenge of those who died in the Ganghwa Hall fire.

Then the next victim must be connected to this place.

If the Ganghwa Hall fire turned out to be arson

and innocent lives were killed,

perhaps one of the bitter victims turned into a monster

and is now committing a series of murders.

That ghastly fool.

He must have his reasons.

I don't know for certain,

but that monster must have once been a human too.

Like me.

There's sadness in his eyes.

Didn't you lose your memory?

How did you know this place used to be Ganghwa Hall?

I'm not sure.

It just came to me.

I saw Ganghwa Hall here.

The arrowhead pointed to Ganghwa Hall?

The next victim is connected to the fire from 30 years ago.

Ask realtors and find out why Ganghwa Hall is gone.

I'll investigate more on Ha Byung-eun.

He must be Ha Byung-eun's father.

Why hold a sacrifice instead of wishing his son's spirit well?

Nan?

Have you forgotten?

Did you think it was over?

You watched me die but lived comfortably?

Just as you murdered my wife and son,

I'll destroy you and your family!

Forgive me.

I deserve to die.

I couldn't protect you to the end.

I'm sorry.

Son!

-Ganghwa Hall? -Yes.

I heard Ganghwa Hall burned down 30 years ago.

What happened?

It wasn't just a fire.

It was treason.

"Treason"?

They say that the crown prince was poisoned there.

So the Jeong family was accused of the scheme,

Ganghwa Hall was burned to the ground, and all that's left is a pond.

The Jeong family owned Ganghwa Hall?

He killed your son.

Who is he?

Jeong In-yul!

The Jeong family had been loyal to the king for generations.

Jeong In-yul and his father were very loyal too.

But they were both executed for plotting treason.

Jeong In-yul…

He's…

back from hell!

Jeong In-yul…

A royal award for those who reported the crown prince's murder?

Hong Jeong-ho, Song Gap-young, Ha Il-ju…

Hong…

Hong Tae-mun, Song Pil-geun, Ha Byung-eun!

He killed the sons of those here in order!

There must be two more names.

Choi Il-kyu.

-Choi Il-kyu? The owner of Yeonmi Lodge? -Yes.

The land and building belonged to the Jeong family.

But after they died, everything went to Choi Il-kyu.

Then the next target must be his son, Jae-kyung.

Choi Il-kyu knew his turn would come, so he read up on monsters.

Jeong In-yul…

He's getting revenge on those who reported the treason.

Today's the 12th!

-What about it, sir? -Hong Tae-mun died on the 3rd.

Song died on the 6th.

And Ha died on the 9th!

There's no time.

We can't fight a vampire with our bare hands!

Then how do we stop it, sir?

Strike it with silver or burn it.

But if you don't burn its heart, it can be revived with blood.

The killer will come here tonight.

He has extraordinary skills and won't be easy to fight.

You must shoot…

You must shoot him with fiery arrows.

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

Over there!

Jeong In-yul!

You and your father poisoned the crown prince

and committed treason.

But you want revenge?

Rather than repent, you took innocent lives!

You will pay for your crime!

"Pay for my crime"?

You'll die here too.

Pain, you say?

What do you know about never-ending pain?

How dare you tell me to pay for my crime?

Put him down.

Though you seek blood now,

were you not once a man of honor?

Since your memory isn't back,

you must not know how you died.

Why?

Do you think your death was different from mine?

When you remember how you died and who killed you,

you'll become just like me.

No.

I won't be a monster like you.

Drink blood.

Find your tragic and painful memories

and get revenge on the day of the full moon.

You must live.

There they are!

You want to turn me into a real vampire?

Why did you try to give me blood?

I wanted to save you.

Why?

What if I bite you?

You'll become a vampire too.

Do you wish to live on innocent blood?

Even so, I would never drink someone else's blood.

Then I'll bite Seo-pil for you so you won't be lonely.

Being with the crazy girl has made you lose your mind, sir.

Yes, ma'am.

SIR HA IL-JU AND CHOI IL-KYU HAVE DIED

No warnings this time? There must be a final target.

Seo-pil? Wake up.

Let me hold your hand.

I said wake up!

Goodness.

I'll bite Seo-pil for you.

Get dressed already!

Yes, sir.

Someone will die in three days.

We must find the last informant before then.

Choi Il-kyu must have the royal award too.

Why hide something you should be proud of?

Was he ashamed of it?

The full moon is in three days.

It's when the spirits' powers are the strongest.

Wait.

The Full Moon Fest…

His Majesty will be here.

Sir?

Please run away.

I can't protect you any longer!

What do you fools want?

Sir.

Stay back. I'll handle them.

But…

I'm immortal now, sir.

My body is on fire.

I can't control my new powers.

-Listen. -Seo-pil! Actually--

I'll have mercy and give you time to run.

Or else today will be your last day as humans.

Foolish thugs.

I'll feast off your blood!

I drew the bite marks on you as a joke!

You have what I want.

If you give it to me, I'll go quietly.

This will help you decide.

Stop.

When I awoke in the mountain, a monk gave it to me.

The case from 30 years ago…

Maybe the perpetrators and the victims should be switched.

Those thugs are trying to hide something.

What was written on that scroll they wanted so badly?

I saw it, but I couldn't read it.

It was written in a secret code.

"A secret code"?

My clever brain would've solved it.

What a pity.

For goodness' sake.

-Why you little! -What?

I remember it.

Secret codes are written with certain patterns.

If you find the pattern, it can be read.

Where's that clever brain of yours?

Where is it?

I knew it.

I was wrong.

Could you write up another one?

Right here! Just bite him!

Move.

You're confusing me.

Wait.

They used the Korean alphabet.

The first and third lines are consonants written with vertical symmetry.

The middle line has vowels drawn with triangles.

The circles mean "A." The triangles mean "O" or "U."

Circles with lines mean "E" and so on.

POISON THE CROWN PRINCE AND FRAME JEONG IN-YUL AND HIS FATHER

I knew it.

Those who reported the treason were the real traitors!

What do you mean?

It's a conspiracy pact.

The crown prince's death was all planned out.

Those who poisoned him

framed Jeong In-yul and his father for treason.

So Jeong In-yul is getting revenge on them?

What do you know about never-ending pain?

I don't know how he became a vampire.

But by killing the real traitors' sons,

he wanted them to suffer pain more agonizing than death.

He'll kill the last traitor's son next.

Hong Jeong-ho, Song Gap-young.

Ha Il-ju.

Choi Il-kyu.

And Kim…

And who, sir?

"Kim Shin"?

Kim Shin?

Your father, sir?

Jeong In-yul knew me.

How dare you tell me to pay for my crime?

He knows I'm the last informant's son.

Kim Shin?

What brings you here, Min?

Give me blood.

I want…

blood.

The subjects are watching.

Let them.

I should hold my beloved's hand on a night like this.

Mother!

Father!

Prince.

Our son must've had a bad dream.

What happened 30 years ago?

Jeong In-yul is the one who called me here.

Jeong In-yul died.

I saw it with my own eyes.

If you don't tell me, I'll hear it from him.

I did it for you!

Did you make a wish?

Yes, sir.

I wished for His Majesty's…

JEONG IN-YUL

…quick recovery, Your Highness.

You make me an unfilial son.

How is that so, Your Highness?

The world knows you tend to His Majesty every night.

I just did what a subject should.

I was kidding.

Your Highness?

What did you wish for?

I wished for Joseon

to be returned to its owner.

Joseon belongs to His Majesty and you, sir.

A king should not be the owner of a country.

The people should be.

Joseon doesn't belong to the people now.

Those who should serve the people rule over them.

They make factions and fight to keep what's theirs.

They try to control the king and alienate others.

They frame their opponents as traitors.

They're the ones who own Joseon right now.

When I become king,

I'll take Joseon away from them and give it back to the people.

I trust you will, sir.

See the lanterns?

Do you know what the people wished for?

The people make small cries.

It's their leaders who raise their voices.

Joseon doesn't need people to cry out for the civilians.

We need people to listen to their small cries.

I want to make it

so that civilians will not suffer from hunger and pain.

Did you find anything?

It's been a long time since I sent you to Ganghwa Hall.

Promise me first, sir.

You found a way?

Tell me.

Why are you hesitating?

Do you wish to see your entire family annihilated?

Your Highness!

Watch out!

Come this way.

What is it?

The crown prince has passed away!

What?

But how?

Sir!

Please run away! Your father's been arrested.

-My father? Why? -For poisoning His Highness…

That's preposterous!

Your Highness! You must leave at once.

What do you mean?

Where is His Highness?

The young prince is in danger. Please get changed.

Let's go.

Where are you going?

You know very well that my father would never do this.

He's been framed!

Those who killed His Highness will be after the young prince.

Your Highness. Please follow me.

Your Highness, please sit here.

They won't be able to follow us here.

Thank you.

How could you come in here?

Haven't you heard about this ship?

It's a revolt.

We must protect the young prince until things settle down.

In-yul!

Run away!

Protect them no matter what!

Hurry!

But it's treason, sir! I can't do it.

You fool!

It's not treason.

The crown prince becoming king is treason.

He's filled with absurd ideals. If he becomes king, Joseon will fall.

A country does not thrive on ideals alone.

The only way to save your family is to bring down the crown prince.

What are you doing?

Please…

Please let the young prince live.

Open the door.

Open it now!

Just let him live!

Please save him!

No!

It would've been better to die than to beg for life.

You fool!

If I hadn't done that, our family would've been annihilated!

I abandoned my friend and the crown prince

to save you!

You mean, this is all because of me?

You did all that for me?

Then what makes me different from the monster?

I lived well in a family that thrived on innocent blood!

Then I'm a monster too!

Scour the area!

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

Young Prince…

you must survive.

Don't let them get away!

Look over there.

Find them!

-There! -Chase after her!

Over there!

Corner her!

-Get her! -Run!

-Hurry! -Come on!

Corner her and catch her!

Mother?

If snow falls before the balsam fades,

I heard you can meet the one you miss.

Young Prince?

Where did you hear that?

It doesn't matter to me if the balsam fades.

Why?

Even if you can't meet the one you miss?

I'll live with you and Father forever.

I won't miss anyone.

You were Sun.

My son, Sun.

I didn't even hold your hand.

You died…

before even calling me mother.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Your Highness.

I, Jeong In-yul,

was disloyal after being deceived by a greedy friend.

I will punish him for harming the crown prince and his son.

I'll burn everything he owns once and for all!

He will come tomorrow during the Full Moon Fest.

That puts His Majesty in harm's way.

We must reveal everything.

Even if I must die,

I'll reveal your crimes, Father!

Lock him away at once.

You go to the top of the palace.

And you escort the premier.

You get the artillery ready.

Go.

And you go get some gunpowder.

Sir!

Stay back!

I'm their master's son. They'll never harm me.

Stay back or else!

This sir… This fool is dead!

I said stay back!

Why are there so many of you?

My toe!

-I have gout! -Are you all right?

What are you doing?

I'll protect you. Grab the reins!

Seo-pil!

My gout!

Were you scared?

Scared people would disdain you if they owned Joseon?

Scared you would lose everything?

Scared my young son would live and reveal your sins?

I've been waiting.

I could strike you in the heart.

Please don't hesitate, Wol-young.

You must be so angry to have to come back like this.

I must die

so that the least bit of your anger can be resolved.

I hope this will pay for a fraction of my father's sins.

Your father did not only take away my life,

but also that of my son and husband.

We just wanted to be together.

That's all we wanted.

But

you enjoyed the last 30 years upon their unjust deaths.

You ask me to kill you?

Fine.

I'll kill you again and again.

I want to know who I am.

Perhaps you lived in the distant past.

Maybe 100 years ago?

That long?

Then I'd be so old.

Shall I call you granny?

No! I'd rather be called a monster.

It was exactly 30 years ago.

In trying to save you, I became a monster.

But you!

To feed your own filthy mouth, you killed the crown prince.

You killed me and my father as well.

Jeong In-yul!

I know the truth behind your unjust suffering.

I'll reveal everything, so stop this.

The truth?

That's right.

Tonight.

The truth will become hellfire

and burn you alive.

Father!

Die, you evil monster!

You call me a monster?

After knowing what your father did to me?

How dare you call me a monster?

Thirty years ago,

you became a monster to save a friend.

But now!

You kill innocent people for revenge.

And threaten His Majesty's life.

You're just a worthless monster.

Now, die.

Your Highness.

You've done enough.

No, Your Highness.

He must die for my revenge to be finished.

Those who made us into monsters are all dead.

Stop.

It's over now.

I…

don't know how to stop.

My father is still alive in my heart.

His Highness and the young prince must be alive in you too.

I can't stop here.

You know very well

that we should not have come back to life.

We're just monsters who crave human blood.

Though we've gotten our revenge and our rage has been resolved,

we can only live on the blood of innocent people.

We've done enough.

It's time to go.

I, Jeong In-yul,

shall go to the crown prince first.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

Your Highness! Please go inside!

What is time?

Your Highness, please hide from the sunlight!

Waiting…

is only possible within the realm of time.

But the balsam stain remains.

Will I meet the ones I miss?

I missed you so much.

Thirty years ago,

Kim Shin poisoned the crown prince and framed the Jeong family.

Thus, seize all his assets and servants.

Although his son revealed everything,

Kim Min must also be beheaded to uphold the law!

A MONTH LATER

I heard you've gone a little cuckoo.

Maybe a lot.

He's coming.

The one who shouldn't come is coming.

He's coming for me.

Who? Who's coming for you?

He came to me in my dreams.

He said he's coming for me!

So weak for a young fellow.

If you're a man, state your name.

If you're a ghost, go away!

It's me.

I waited so long.

Your Majesty!

You're already dead.

Kim Min no longer exists in Joseon.

There are many things you must do for me in secret.

What did His Majesty command?

A month ago, in Andong,

the dead started to come back to life and eat people.

Man-eating dead?

Yes.

They are dead but alive at the same time.

So people call them the living dead.

Or zombies.

Really?

-Good luck! -Wait, Seo-pil! Come with me!